The funk of New Orleans has been so influential on the music of the world that it is no surprise that so many great musicians have been drawn here to join the scene. Jon Cleary is no exception.
The British-born keyboardist, singer, and songwriter has become a huge part of today’s New Orleans music. The first time I saw Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, I was blown away by the group’s musical skills and their songs’ stellar crafting. Cleary, who is also the keyboardist in Bonnie Raitt’s band, carries on the tradition of such piano geniuses as Jelly Roll Morton, James Booker and, of course, the great Professor Longhair.
Cleary’s latest studio effort, “Pin Your Spin,” released on Basin Street Records and produced by John Porter, is a collection of funky, soulful and bluesy tunes that are a great introduction to the new music this city can produce. Cleary’s songwriting is brilliant on this record, and the production is top-notch.
The biggest complaint many listeners have with the funk scene in New Orleans is the lack of really great songwriting; sometimes the emphasis is placed on the soloing styles of the individual musicians instead of the song. Jon Cleary defies this stereotype by not only being a great player, but also by writing great songs. On this record, his talents come through most on such songs as “Oh No No,” a Caribbean-flavored sing-a-long; “Got to Be More Careful,” a rump-rockin’ mid-tempo funk groove; and the blazing instrumental “Ain’t Nuttin’ Nice.”
Some of the tunes on this record just don’t work as well as the others. The a cappella “Best Ain’t Good Enuff” just doesn’t come off well, even though the voices sound great. “Is It Any Wonder,” “Smile in a While” and “Caught Red Handed” also just sound too adult-contemporary for my taste.
Even though a lot of college kids won’t really like “Pin Your Spin,” I would suggest it to anyone just moving to the city as an introduction to the flavor and quality that music down here has to offer. And nothing beats a good album like a great live show. Get out there.
